HAVING a little time to spare on a visit to Cork last week, a walk into the UCC campus from the Western Road side was an enticing option. The freshly-greening trees were the magnet, surely one of the best views the college has to offer.

One of the few multi-million euro restoration projects to have gone ahead during the economic downturn has been unveiled to the public with the limited reopening of Killarney House and Gardens, yesterday.

It is being hailed as the jewel in the crown of Killarney, and its restoration will bring the Killarney National Park right into the heart of the town and create the biggest urban park in the world.

The felling of around 70 cherry blossom trees which lined a popular walk in the tourist mecca of Killarney has sparked controversy.